Fluid dispensing nozzle

ABSTRACT

An automatic liquid level responsive dispensing nozzle of the type used to dispense gasoline. The nozzle is provided with a manually actuated handle which is used to initiate flow. The handle is formed from two sections which are pivotally connected to one another. The sections are further provided with an adjustable connecting means which changes the throw of the handle and thereby controls the extent to which the nozzle control valve may be opened.

United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor Chester W. Wood Cincinnati, Ohio n 2 1 H 1 4 l a m 25 il .e m n Ga v. 3RD] m h flw RM Mm we? 99 n w 11 n... M m ma x 02 H 51 I. Wm 1 at 02 m u nm 2 PA n mm 0 0 7 m. 7 m m QZJC M wum wfl m MMmmC 0 de mm mv w pun-a8 AFPA 11]] 253 2247 [[[l Attorney-Kinney and Schenk Continuation of application Ser. No. 712,21

3, Mar. 1 l, 1968, now abandoned.

ponsive dispensing nozzle of the type used to dispense gasoline. The nozzle is pro- ABSTRACT: An automatic liquid level res vided with a manually actuated handle which is used to initiate flow. The handle is formed from two sections which are pivotally connected to one another. The sections are further provided with an adjustable connectin the throw of the handle and thereby 6 0 H l 4 1 R m Z m 0% m N W cm m w m Sn D m E m- D m a UC S RN U M n U g means which changes controls the extent to which the nozzle control valve may be opened.

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PATENTED nm 5 |97| SHEET 1 [IF 4 INVENTOR CHESTER W. WOOD HIS ATTORNEYS PATENTED Hm 515m 3,610,298

SHEETZflFd Till-E INVENTOR CHESTER W. WOOD HIS ATTORNEYS PATENTEU URI 5 L9H SHEET 4 UF 4 INVENTOR CHESTER W. WOOD BY 4! ,M

HIS ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many presently used fluid dispensing nozzles of the type used to dispense gasoline, or the like, usually have provisions for latching the actuating lever for each nozzle in an open position to allow fluid flow through the nozzle in an open position to allow fluid flow through the nozzle while leaving such nozzle unattended. However, the latches provided on presently used nozzles are difficult to actuate, often require that an operator use both hands to achieve such latching, and in many instances protrude outwardly of the peripheral outline of the nonle so as to be susceptible to be readily engaged inadvertently and unlatched or caught on an operator's clothing to thereby create unnecessary problems during the dispensing of fluid through such present nozzles.

SUMMARY This invention provides an improved fluid dispensing nozzle having an improved two-piece actuating level and latch means which enables easy positive latching of such two-piece lever utilizing only one hand to provide fluid flow through such nozzle until such time as automatic shutoff means comprising the fluid nozzle is actuated. Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the embodiments thereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show present preferred embodiments of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a view of any exemplary fluid dispensing nozzle with parts in section and parts broken away and particularly illustrating such nonle being actuated open using one hand and illustrating one embodiment of the improved latch means of this invention comprising such noule being actuated utilizing the index finger of the one hand;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view essentially on the line 2'-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away illustrating a two-piece actuating lever comprising the nozzle of FIG. 1 in its lower position prior to actuation thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating by solid lines the two-piece actuating lever supported on an associated supporting ledge in a medium flow position and illustrating by dotted lines the two-piece actuating lever supported on such ledge in a high flow position;

FIG. Sis a view on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away illustrating another embodiment of a two-piece actuating lever and associated latch means which may be utilized on the fluid dispensing nozzle of FIG. 1 and illustrating such two-piece lever prior to actuation thereof;

FIG. 7 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away similar to FIG. 6 and illustrating the two-piece actuating lever of FIG. 6 latched in a medium flow position;

FIG. 8 is a view on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away illustrating another embodiment of a fluid dispensing nozzle having a two-piece actuating lever and improved latch means including a single trigger means and illustrating such twopiece actuating lever prior to actuation thereof;

FIG. 10 is'a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating by solid lines the two-piece actuating lever in a medium flow position and illustrating by dotted lines such actuating lever in a high-flow position; and

FIG. 1 1 is a view with parts in section and parts broken away illustrating another embodiment of a fluid dispensing noule having a two-piece actuating lever and improved latch means and showing by solid lines the two-piece actuating lever prior to actuation thereof and by dotted lines the arrangement of such two-piece actuating lever in a medium flow position.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, an improved fluid dispensing nozzle such as a gasoline dispensing nozzle 20 is illustrated. Dispensing noule 20 is comprised of a main housing means or body 21 having normally closed valve means indicated generally by the numeral 22 supported within body 21. Valve means 22 comprises a poppet valve 23 which is normally urged closed by a spring 24 against a cooperating seat 25 provided in housing 21. Poppet valve 23 has a stem 26 fixed to the lower end thereof. The lower end of stem 26 is normally engaged by a suitably pivoted two-piece lever designated generally by the reference number 27 to override spring 24 and thus open valve means 22.

The pivoted two-piece lever 27 used to open valve means 22 will be described in more detail subsequently in this specification; however, lever 27 is provided with a suitable lever guard 28 which extends beneath main housing 21. The lever guard 28 may be a separate unit suitably fastened in position or may be formed as an integral part of housing 21. The lever guard is so constructed and arranged that lever 27 is confined within the peripheral outline of guard 28.

A passage 30 is provided in housing 21 and such housing has means such as threads or the like at the entrance to passage 30 for connection of nozzle 20 to a flexible hose, or the like, which in turn is connected to a source of gasoline through a gasoline metering pump. A fluid discharge conduit 32 is also suitably connected to the discharge end of nozzle 20 and upon actuating lever 27, with nozzle 20 inserted in a gasoline tank, for example, stem 26 and hence poppet 23 is raised upwardly allowing gasoline to flow through passage 30 and out of nozzle 20 through its discharge conduit 32.

Gasoline dispensing nozzle 20 includes automatic shutoff means enabling leaving nozzle 20 unattended. The automatic shutoff means shuts off the flow of gasoline through nozzle 20 once an associated gasoline tank has been filled so that the discharge end portion of conduit 32 is submerged by gasoline.

The automatic high-level shutoff means used in nozzle 20 is of a known type and is designated within nozzle 20 generally by the numeral 33. Shutoff means 33 comprises a telescoping cylindrical plunger 34 mounted within housing 21 for axial movement within confined limits. Plunger 34 has radial openings in one end portion thereof, shown in the upper end portion in this example, and the plurality of balls 35 carried within such radial openings for radial movement toward and away from the elongated axis of plunger 34. The balls 35 operate to hold the plunger 34 in a raised position upon being urged radially outwardly by a cooperating stem 36 extending through a blind bore 37 in the central portion of plunger 34 as will be presently described.

Stern 36 is suitably centrally fastened to a diaphragm 38 which is carried within housing 21 to define a pressure chamber shown at 40. Stem 36 has a tapered portion illustrated at 41 which serves as cam surface means adapted to engage balls 35. A balance spring 42 is provided on the top side of diaphragm 38 for controlling the extent of movement of such diaphragm and hence the movement of tapered portion 41 and balls 35.

Nozzle 20 also has a separate passage means designated generally by the numeral 43 and extending from a location adjacent the terminal discharge end of discharge conduit 32 so that it is in flow communication with pressure chamber 40. Passage means 43 is comprised of a plurality of suitably interconnected integral passages each extending through an associated portion of nozzle 20. The lower end portion of passage means 43 is defined by a section of separate tubing 44 supported within discharge conduit 32 and tubing 44 has an open end portion or open end 45 extending through conduit 32 adjacent its discharge end as shown at 46 so that open end 45 is submerged once an associated tank is nearly filled.

During a normal filling operation, with a tank not yet full, the pressure within chamber 40 is such that tapered portion 41 urges balls 35 outwardly so that they engage an O-ring or seat ring 50 supported on a shoulder 51 provided in housing 21, thus holding plunger 34 in its raised position. This is the solid line position shown in F IG. 1.

As the tank or container is filled during such normal filling operating, liquid submerges the ten'ninal end portion of arcuate discharge conduit 32 also submerging open end 45 of tubing 44 to cause a reduction is pressure in the entire passage means 43. Because passage means 43 is in flow communication with chamber 40, the reduced pressure is also present in chamber 40 which allows diaphragm 38 to move upwardly to the dotted line position of FIG. 1 causing balls 35 to roll toward each other to the dotted line position shown and thereby releasing or unlocking plunger 34 from its raised position as held by balls 35 being seated against seat ring 50.

As plunger 34 is released it telescopes downwardly or drops to a lower dotted line position shown at 53 in FIG. 1 and thereby drops a pivot pin 54 carried at its lower terminal end.

Pivot pin 54 supports one end of lever 27 for pivoting movement thereabout. With pivot pin 54 dropped to position 53, the upper portion of lever 27 strikes housing 21 at 56 upon being actuated making it physically impossible for lever 27 to contact the terminal end of rod 26 and allow flow through poppet assembly 23. It will be appreciated that once the mechanical assembly associated with plunger 34 drops to position 53 spring 24 immediately urges poppet assembly 23 closed.

The previously described automatic shutoff means comprising nozzle 20 operates in an efficient manner when the dispensing nozzle 20 is manually held within an associated tank while holding the two-piece lever 27 open, as well as when the nozzle 20 is actuated open and left unattended while utilizing the improved latch means of this invention.

The lever guard 28 comprising nozzle 20 is a substantially L-shaped lever guard which has one leg portion designated by the reference numeral 58 which in the illustration of FIG. 1 is shown arranged substantially horizontally and another leg portion designated generally by the reference numeral 59 which extends upwardly from the rear end of the horizontal leg portion 58 toward the main housing portion of nozzle 20. The leg portion 59 has a supporting ledge 63, see FIGS. 1 and 2, which is adapted to support the terminal end 65 of the two-piece lever 27 to enable the nozzle 20 to be left unattended while it is inserted within an associated container so that it then operates in an automatic manner as the fluid level in the container submerges the terminal end portion of discharge conduit 32 in a manner as was described in detail earlier.

As seen particularly in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the vertical leg portion 59 of lever guard 28 is comprised of two substantially parallel and spaced apart portions designated by the numerals 60 and 61. The supporting ledge 63 is fixed in position to the leg portion 61 so that a space designated by the numeral 66 is provided between the outer tip of ledge 63 and the oppositely arranged leg 60 so as to enable the terminal end portion or tip 65 of the two-piece actuating lever 27 to be moved upwardly therealong essentially in an unobstructed manner and enable placing end portion 65 on ledge 63 to hold the actuating lever 27 in a raised position and enable the nozzle 20 to be latched open and left unattended.

The two-piece lever 27 utilized to open valve means 22 of nozzle 20 has a forward section 70 which is pivotally mounted on the plunger 34 by the pin 54 and a rear section 71 which is pivotally connected to the forward section 70 by a pivot pin 72. The forward section 70 has a contoured configuration, as illustrated in the drawings, and is a channellike member having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

The rear section 71 of lever 27 is also a channellike member having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration and is pivoted so that a portion thereof designed by the numeral 73 extends forwardly of pivot pin 72 so that portion 73 in effect overlaps the rear end portion of forward section 70 and for reasons which will be apparent subsequently.

Fluid dispensing nozzle 20 has adjustable latch means designated generally by the reference numeral 75 for latching the lever 27 open upon pulling the rear section 71 of lever 27 toward the main housing 21 of nozzle 20 and hence the forward section against the stem 26 which extends out of the housing 21 as shown at 80, thereby moving the outer end portion 81 of the stem 26 inwardly toward the housing 21 to override the spring 24 and allow fluid flow through the valve means 22 prior to actuation of the automatic shutoff means comprising nozzle 20.

The latch means may be easily actuated using only one hand and comprises the supporting ledge 63, previously described, and adjustable trigger means designated generally by the reference numeral 83 for coupling the forward section 70 and rear section 71 of the two-piece actuating lever 27 together. The adjustable trigger means 83 enables coupling the forward section 70 and rear section 71 with a desired angular displacement therebetween to thereby adjust the amount that the forward section displaces the stem 26 and hence valve means 22 upon placing the rear section 71 and in particular the terminal end portion 65 of rear section 71 on the supporting ledge 63 and thus adjust the amount of fluid flow through the valve means 22.

Upon actuation of the automatic shutoff means the plunger 34 moves outwardly in the manner previously described in detail and the angular displacement between the sections 70 and 71 of the actuating lever 27 is abruptly changed causing the trigger means 83 to disengage and the two-piece lever 27 to return to a base position from which it may be reset and such base position is shown in FIG. 1 and after end portion 65 is moved off the ledge 63.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 3-5 of the drawings, the trigger means 83 of the fluid-dispensing nozzle 20 is comprised of a pair of trigger means or triggers, designated respectively by the reference numerals 86 and 87. The triggers 86 and 87 are pivotally fastened about a pivot pin 89 which is carried by the forward end 73 of the rear section 71 of the two piece lever 27. The trigger 87 of this example of the invention has step means shown as a pair of step means 90 and 91 provided as an integral part thereof while the trigger 86 has a single step means designated by the reference numeral 92 and provided as an integral part thereof.

The triggers 86 and 87 are pivoted about pivot pin 89 so that they extend through an elongated slot designated by the numeral 93 which extends through the bight or base portion of the forward section 70 of the two-piece lever 27. The step means 90-92 provided in the triggers 86 and 87 are adapted to engage an edge means or edge 94 defining the forward portion of the elongated slot 93 provided in forward section 70 as to provide a different flow setting through nozzle 20 once a given step means engages edge 94 and the rear end portion 65 of lever 27 is placed upon supporting ledge 63 and prior to actuation of the automatic shutoff means of nozzle 20.

The triggers 86 and 87 are arranged so that an operator can actuate the two-piece lever 27 with one hand and provide three latch positions and hence three corresponding fluid flow settings in a foolproof manner. In particular, one flow setting which is a low flow setting is provided merely by pulling upwardly upon rear section 71 and placing terminal end portion 64 on supporting ledge 63 without moving either of the triggers 86 or 87. Another flow setting is provided by engaging the longer trigger or trigger 86 with an index finger and moving it to a full-forward position simultaneously with actuating or pulling against the rear section 71 of lever 27 to provide a medium flow condition through the fluid nozzle 20, which is illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 4 of the drawings. A high flow setting is provided by pushing the short trigger 87 forwardly by an index finger simultaneously with moving rear portion 71 so that step means 90 engages edge 94.

Thus, it is seen that the three flow settings are provided by actuating only trigger 86 (medium flow condition), by actuation only trigger 87 (high-flow condition), or by pulling upward on rear section 71 leaving both triggers intact, whereby three settings are readily provided with one hand and essentially in a foolproof manner.

As will be apparent from FIG. 5 of the drawings, each of the triggers 86 and 87 has spring means urging it rearwardly. In articular, it will be seen that trigger 87 has a spring 100 urging it toward a rearwardly position while trigger 86 has a spring 101 urging it to a rearwardly position.

Thus it is seen that in the exemplary embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings an improved fluid nozzle is provided in which the two-piece actuating lever 27 may be actuated in a foolproof manner and latched open at three flow settings utilizing two trigger means and in a substantially foolproof manner while using only one hand.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 of the drawings wherein a fragmentary portion of a fluid dispensing nonle is illustrated, which is very similar to the fluid dispensing nozzle 20; therefore, the fluid dispensing nonle of FIGS. 6-8 will be designated generally by the reference numeral 20A and those component parts thereof which are similar to corresponding parts of nozzle 20 will be designated by the same numeral as nozzle 20, also followed by the letter designation A and not described again. Only those parts of nozzle 20A which are different from corresponding parts of nozzle 20 will be designated by a new numeral and also followed by the letter designation A and described in detail. The main difference between nozzle 20A and nozzle 20 is in the latch means 75A comprising nozzle 20A.

The forward section 70A of lever 27 has slot means 103A provided therein, which is formed to define a plurality of step means or steps designated by the numerals 104A, 105A, and 106A. The trigger means, designated by numeral 83A, is shown in the fonn of an arm which is pivotally connected about a pivot pin 110A provided in rear section 71A of lever 27A and the pivot pin 110A is arranged so that it is positioned to the rear of the pivot pin 72A which fasten the two sections 70A and 71A of lever 27A together.

The arm or trigger 83A of this exemplary embodiment of the invention is urged rearwardly about its pivot pin 1 A by a spring designated by the numeral 111A. The opposite or lower end of trigger 83A has a pivot pin 112A suitably fastened thereto so that it extends through the slot 103A and pin 112A is adapted to engage the surface means defining the various step means 104A, 105A, or 106A.

It will be appreciated that the various step means 104A, 105A, and 106A define different flow settings through the nozzle 20A upon being engaged by the pin 112A.

Thus it will be seen that for a low flow setting the pin 112A is engaged against step means 106A upon placing the terminal end portion 65A of rear section 71A on supporting ledge 63A, a high flow condition is created upon engaging the pin 112A against step means 104A, and a medium flow condition is created upon engaging pin 112A against step means 105A, which is the position illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

it will be appreciated that the setting of trigger or arm 83A is achieved substantially simultaneously with pulling upwardly on rear portion 71A of lever 27A and is achieved essentially by utilizing the index finger of one hand, for example, to thereby provide a simple and substantially foolproof actuation or latching of the valve means provided in nozzle 20A in an open position and in a similar manner as previously described in more detail in connection with noule 20.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-10 of the drawings. The fluid nozzle illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is very similar to the nozzle 20; therefore, such nozzle will be designated generally by the reference numeral 203 and parts of nozzle 208 which are very similar to corresponding parts of nozzle 20 will also be designated by the same numeral as in nozzle 20, also followed by the letter designation B and not described again. Only those parts of nozzle 203 which are substantially different from corresponding parts of nozzle 20 will be designated by a new numeral also followed by the letter designation B and described in detail.

The trigger means 838 comprising nozzle 208 comprises a single trigger means and is supported on the forward portion 73B of rear section 71B of the actuating lever 278. The trigger means or trigger 833 has a plurality of step means 1158, 1168, and 117B provided therein as an integral part thereof. The trigger 83B extends through slot 938 provided in the forward section 70B of actuating lever 27B and it will be seen that to adjust the relative position of the sections 708 and 71B of actuating lever 273 an actuating force is applied against trigger 83B essentially in the same direction as the force applied against the rear section 71B of such lever to actuate it in position and support its terminal end 658 on the supporting ledge 638.

The operation of trigger 833 may be achieved with one hand and essentially by the index finger of the one hand and it will be seen that each of the step means B, 1168, and 1178 provides a different flow condition through the nozzle 20B upon actuating lever 278.

In particular, it will be seen that with the trigger 83B arranged so that its step means 117B engages an edge 120B defining the rear of slot 93B a low flow position or condition is provided upon lifting the terminal end 658 and hooking it on ledge 63B. A medium flow condition is created upon-actuating trigger 83B so that step 116B engages edge 1203 an such medium flow position is illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 10. A

high flow condition is provided by moving the trigger 838 so its ledge 1 15B engages edge 1208 and the high flow position is indicated by dotted lines at 121B in FIG. 10 of the drawings.

Thus it is seen that the nozzle 20B illustrated in F IGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings has a two-piece actuating lever 278 which is easily actuated with one hand and provides fluid flow through the nonle 208 in a simple and efficient manner similar to the nozzles 20 and 20A.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings. The nozzle illustrated in FIG. 11 is very similar to the nozzle 20; therefore, such nozzle will be designated generally by the numeral 20C and parts of nozzle 20C which are very similar to corresponding parts of nozzle 20 will be designated by the same numeral as nozzle 20, also followed by the letter designation C and not described again. Only those component parts which are different from corresponding parts of nozzle 20 will be designated by a new numeral, also followed by the letter designation C and described in detail.

The trigger means or trigger 83C comprising nozzle 20C is a substantially channellike trigger of substantially Ushaped cross-sectional configuration which is pivotally supported on the rear section 71C of the two-piece lever 27C about a pivot pin 125C and pivot pin 125C is arranged rearwardly of the pivot pin 72C about which sections 70C and 71C are pivotally connected. The trigger means or trigger 83C has a slot means each designated by the same reference numeral 126C provided in its opposite sides or side portions of the channelshaped member and each slot means 126C is arranged in a corresponding position in each side. The slot means 126C are formed to define a plurality of integral step means or a plurality of steps designated by the numerals 130C, 131C, and 132C. The step means DOC-132C are utilized in association with a bearing pin 133C to be presently described to provide different flow conditions through the nozzle 20C.

The forward section 70C of lever 27C has the above mentioned bearing pin 133C fixed thereto so that it extends transversely through the front section 70C of lever 27C. The bearing pin 133C is adapted to be engaged by surface means defining the various step means 130C-132C to provide different flow settings through the nozzle 20C.

In particular, it will be seen that upon engaging pin 133C by step means 130C and placing the terminal end 65C of lever 27C on ledge 63C a low flow condition is provided through the noule 20C, upon placing step means 131C against pin 133C a medium flow condition is provided through the nozzle 20C, and upon placing the step means 132C into engagement with pin 133C a high flow condition is provided through nozzle 20C. The dotted line showing of FIG. 11 illustrates the trigger means 83C actuated so that step means 131C are engaged against pin 133C to provide a medium flow condition through the nozzle 20C.

Thus it is seen that the nozzle 20C utilizes unique latch means in association with a two-piece lever in a similar manner as the other embodiments of this invention previously described to provide a nozzle and associated latch means which is readily and easily actuated utilizing one hand, if desired.

Thus, it is seen that improved fluid dispensing nozzles each having improved latch means and a two-piece actuating lever have been provided by this invention wherein each latch means is of simple and economical construction and may be readily latched and unlatched utilizing one hand.

I claim:

1. A fluid dispensing nozzle for dispensing a fluid into a fluid container comprising, a housing, valve means supported within said housing and adapted to be opened to allow fluid flow through said nozzle, said valve means including a valve stem extending out of said housing and urging means normally urging said valve means closed and an outer end of said valve stem away from said housing, a fluid discharge conduit fastened in flow communication with said valve means and adapted to have its terminal end portion submerged in fluid upon filling said container, automatic shutoff means for automatically shutting off flow through said valve means as said end portion of said conduit is submerged in said fluid, said automatic shutoff means including a telescoping plunger which moves to an extended position upon actuation of said automatic shutoff means, a two-piece lever for opening said valve means, said lever having a forward section pivotally mounted on said plunger and a rear section, and adjustable latch means for latching said lever open upon pulling said rear section toward said housing and said forward section against said stem to override said urging means and allow fluid flow through said valve means prior to actuation of automatic shutoff means, said latch means being adapted to be actuated using only one hand and comprising, a supporting ledge carried by said housing for supporting said rear section, adjustable trigger means for coupling said forward and rear sections together with a desired angular displacement therebetween to thereby adjust the amount that said forward section displaces said stem and valve means upon placing said rear section on said supporting ledge and thus adjust the amount of fluid flow through said valve means, and upon actuation of said automatic shutofi' means and movement of said plunger outwardly said angular displacement between said sections is abruptly changed causing said trigger means to disengage and said twopiece lever to return to a base position from which it may be reset.

2. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pivot pin for pivotally connecting said forward and rear sections of said two-piece lever together and said trigger means comprises trigger means pivotally connected to one of said sections.

3. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said trigger means comprises a pair of trigger means pivotally fastened to the forward end of said rear section and each having step means for engaging and adjusting the angular displacement between said sections, said pair of trigger means assuring that an operator can actuate the two-piece lever with said one hand to provide any of three latch positions and hence three corresponding fluid flow settings in a foolproof manner wherein one flow setting is provided by actuating one trigger means and pulling said rear section toward said stern, another flow setting is provided by actuating the other trigger means and pulling said rear section toward said stem, and the third setting is provided by pulling said rear section toward said stern leaving both of said trigger means intact.

4. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said pair of trigger means has spring means urging each trigger means and hence its step means away from said forward section of said two-piece lever.

5. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2, in which, said forward section has a slot provided therein adjacent said pivot pin, said trigger means comprises a single trigger means pivotally supported on the forward end of said rear section so that it extends through said slot in said forward section, said single trigger means having a plurality of step means which enable the setting of said two-piece lever at a corresponding plurality of flow conditions, and said single trigger means being actuated by a force applied in the same direction as the force applied against said rear section of said two-piece lever.

6. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said trigger means comprises, a substantially channellike trigger means pivotally supported on said rear section rearwardly of said pivot pin connecting said forward and rear section of said two-piece lever together, said trigger means having slot means in its opposite sides arranged at corresponding positions and each of said slot means being formed to define a plurality of step means, and a latching pin fixed to said forward section of said two-piece lever and extending through said slot means of said trigger means, said latching pin being adapted to be engaged by surface means defining each of said step means provided in said channellike trigger means and each of said plurality of step means providing a different flow setting through said nozzle upon being positioned against said latching pin.

7. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said forward section has slot means provided therein and being formed to define a plurality of step means, and said trigger means comprises an arm which is pivotally connected to said rear section at its upper end and has a latching pin fixed thereto at its lower end, said latching pin extending through said slot means provided in said forward section and being adapted to engage surface means defining each step means and each of said plurality of step means providing a difierent flow setting through said nozzle upon being engaged by said latching pin.

8. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 7 and further comprising spring means urging said arm about its supporting pin in a direction away from said plunger.

9. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which each of said sections of said two-piece lever is formed as a channel having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration in which at least said rear section is arranged with the bight of its U-shaped configuration arranged outwardly so as to provide a large bearing surface which is engaged to actuate said nozzle.

10. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said ledge means is provided at the rear end portion of said nozzle and as an integral part of a lever guard provided for said twopiece lever.

11. An automatic shutoff dispensing nozzle comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said body for controlling fluid flow from said inlet to said outlet, a valve stem connected to said valve, means urging said valve to its closed position, a plunger slidably mounted in said body, means to retain said plunger in a first position until the fluid in a container being filled by the nozzle reaches a predetermined level, a two-piece lever having a first section continuously connected to said plunger and a second section connected only to said first section, said second section being pivotally connected to said first section, said first section moving said stem to open said valve when said second section is moved, and said valve urging means moving said valve to its closed position when said retaining means releases said plunger.

12. The nozzle as set forth in claim 11 including means to retain said second section in a position in which said valve is held in an open position.

13. The nozzle as set forth in claim 11 including means cooperating with said two-piece lever to dispose said first section in different positions when said plunger is in its first position to move said stern to different positions to position said valve in corresponding different'positions to cause different fiow rates through said body.

15. The nozzle as set forth m claim 14 in which said pivotally mounted means of said cooperating means IS mounted on at least said second sectionv 

1. A fluid dispensing nozzle for dispensing a fluid into a fluid container comprising, a housing, valve means supported within said housing and adapted to be opened to allow fluid flow through said nozzle, said valve means including a valve stem extending out of said housing and urging means normally urging said valve means closed and an outer end of said valve stem away from said housing, a fluid discharge conduit fastened in flow communication with said valve means and adapted to have its terminal end portion submerged in fluid upon filling said container, automatic shutoff means for automatically shutting off flow through said valve means as said end portion of said conduit is submerged in said fluid, said automatic shutoff means including a telescoping plunger which moves to an extended position upon actuation of said automatic shutoff means, a twO-piece lever for opening said valve means, said lever having a forward section pivotally mounted on said plunger and a rear section, and adjustable latch means for latching said lever open upon pulling said rear section toward said housing and said forward section against said stem to override said urging means and allow fluid flow through said valve means prior to actuation of automatic shutoff means, said latch means being adapted to be actuated using only one hand and comprising, a supporting ledge carried by said housing for supporting said rear section, adjustable trigger means for coupling said forward and rear sections together with a desired angular displacement therebetween to thereby adjust the amount that said forward section displaces said stem and valve means upon placing said rear section on said supporting ledge and thus adjust the amount of fluid flow through said valve means, and upon actuation of said automatic shutoff means and movement of said plunger outwardly said angular displacement between said sections is abruptly changed causing said trigger means to disengage and said two-piece lever to return to a base position from which it may be reset.
 2. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pivot pin for pivotally connecting said forward and rear sections of said two-piece lever together and said trigger means comprises trigger means pivotally connected to one of said sections.
 3. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said trigger means comprises a pair of trigger means pivotally fastened to the forward end of said rear section and each having step means for engaging and adjusting the angular displacement between said sections, said pair of trigger means assuring that an operator can actuate the two-piece lever with said one hand to provide any of three latch positions and hence three corresponding fluid flow settings in a foolproof manner wherein one flow setting is provided by actuating one trigger means and pulling said rear section toward said stem, another flow setting is provided by actuating the other trigger means and pulling said rear section toward said stem, and the third setting is provided by pulling said rear section toward said stem leaving both of said trigger means intact.
 4. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said pair of trigger means has spring means urging each trigger means and hence its step means away from said forward section of said two-piece lever.
 5. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2, in which, said forward section has a slot provided therein adjacent said pivot pin, said trigger means comprises a single trigger means pivotally supported on the forward end of said rear section so that it extends through said slot in said forward section, said single trigger means having a plurality of step means which enable the setting of said two-piece lever at a corresponding plurality of flow conditions, and said single trigger means being actuated by a force applied in the same direction as the force applied against said rear section of said two-piece lever.
 6. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said trigger means comprises, a substantially channellike trigger means pivotally supported on said rear section rearwardly of said pivot pin connecting said forward and rear section of said two-piece lever together, said trigger means having slot means in its opposite sides arranged at corresponding positions and each of said slot means being formed to define a plurality of step means, and a latching pin fixed to said forward section of said two-piece lever and extending through said slot means of said trigger means, said latching pin being adapted to be engaged by surface means defining each of said step means provided in said channellike trigger means and each of said plurality of step means providing a different flow setting through said nozzle upon being positioned against said latching pin.
 7. A fluid dispensiNg nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said forward section has slot means provided therein and being formed to define a plurality of step means, and said trigger means comprises an arm which is pivotally connected to said rear section at its upper end and has a latching pin fixed thereto at its lower end, said latching pin extending through said slot means provided in said forward section and being adapted to engage surface means defining each step means and each of said plurality of step means providing a different flow setting through said nozzle upon being engaged by said latching pin.
 8. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 7 and further comprising spring means urging said arm about its supporting pin in a direction away from said plunger.
 9. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which each of said sections of said two-piece lever is formed as a channel having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration in which at least said rear section is arranged with the bight of its U-shaped configuration arranged outwardly so as to provide a large bearing surface which is engaged to actuate said nozzle.
 10. A fluid dispensing nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said ledge means is provided at the rear end portion of said nozzle and as an integral part of a lever guard provided for said two-piece lever.
 11. An automatic shutoff dispensing nozzle comprising a body having an inlet and an outlet, a valve in said body for controlling fluid flow from said inlet to said outlet, a valve stem connected to said valve, means urging said valve to its closed position, a plunger slidably mounted in said body, means to retain said plunger in a first position until the fluid in a container being filled by the nozzle reaches a predetermined level, a two-piece lever having a first section continuously connected to said plunger and a second section connected only to said first section, said second section being pivotally connected to said first section, said first section moving said stem to open said valve when said second section is moved, and said valve urging means moving said valve to its closed position when said retaining means releases said plunger.
 12. The nozzle as set forth in claim 11 including means to retain said second section in a position in which said valve is held in an open position.
 13. The nozzle as set forth in claim 11 including means cooperating with said two-piece lever to dispose said first section in different positions when said plunger is in its first position to move said stem to different positions to position said valve in corresponding different positions to cause different flow rates through said body.
 14. The nozzle as set forth in claim 13 in which said cooperating means includes means pivotally mounted on said two-piece lever.
 15. The nozzle as set forth in claim 14 in which said pivotally mounted means of said cooperating means is mounted on at least said second section. 